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Synopsis
Bernard's Bath (P) It's bath time, but little Bernard will not go near the water. So his family tries to make the bath as inviting as possible. Mama pours in bubble bath. Papa adds a rubber ducky. Grandma offers a toy boat. Still, Bernard says, "No bath." Then Papa has an idea. He dives into the tub to show Bernard that bath time is fun time. Soon Mama and Grandma dive into the tub as well, trumpeting and blowing water from their trunks and playing with Bernard's toys. Everyone is having lots of fun. Now Bernard wants to jump in the water, too. Any child who does not like to take baths will find a friend in Joan Elizabeth Goodman's gentle and humorous story, warmly illustrated by Dominic Catalano.
Publishers Weekly
Bernard is an elephant, but he has something in common with many a human child-a loathing of bathtime. "No bath," he announces, taking refuge in the towel closet. His parents' cajolings and even the lure of bubbles and bath toys fail to change his mind. Only when he sees Mama and Papa and even Grandma climb into the tub and cavort happily is he finally enticed. Zeroing in on one of the main events in a small child's day, this frothy tale gives the bath-o-phobic an opportunity for vicarious revolt (and reconciliation). Catalano's (Wolf Plays Along) droll pastels play up Goodman's (Good Night, Pippin) effervescent text, and there's much sly visual enjoyment in such details as Bernard's determined expression and the elephant grown-ups whooping it up in the tub. Kids will soak this one right up. Ages 2-5. (Feb.)